New York voters reflect on candidates, economy

“I voted straight Republican. I think we should get rid of all the incumbents. ... I don’t think Obama listens to the people. I think he has his own agenda.” — Gene Hoeltge, 44, of Pelham

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“I don’t think the Republicans are evil or jerks or anything like that. I just don’t think they have the right attitude. It’s been ’our team versus you,’ and to hell with everybody else.” — registered Democrat Joseph Giannettino, 35, of Rochester, on the divided political climate

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“Not 100 percent thrilled with him, but, certainly, he’s acceptable, and the other guy is appalling — that’s all I can say about him.” — Forest Markowitz, 60, of Manhattan, explaining why he cast his vote for Andrew Cuomo over Carl Paladino for governor

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“I don’t think we should just have two parties. I threw in some votes for Green Party candidates just because I want to register the fact that I don’t think we should have just two parties.” — Victoria Brooks, 54, a college worker voting in Glenville

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“He’s actually doing a great job, but he’s not communicating to people who are not like me. I’m an intellectual, highly educated Ph.D. I love him, I understand what he’s trying to do. But I think he was a little naive about his political antennae.” — Karen Rubinson, 68, a Manhattan Democrat, on Obama’s public relations skills

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“Terrible. I don’t think he knew what he was getting into when he took office. I’m very disappointed. He’s a very smart man but he has no common sense.” — Marion Elliott, a 92-year-old retired hairdresser from suburban Albany, asked how President Barack Obama was doing in office

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“Sadly, these days it’s all about numbers. The Republicans have proven that since Obama took office. ... Where I used to consider candidate by candidate who I voted for, now I’m just going to vote straight Democratic.” — Arts editor Ben Finane, 33, of Manhattan

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“I’m afraid that a lot of people who would vote Democratic are just not voting right now. And the people who are voting are just voting to say ’No’ and they don’t have a program.” — Carol Sherwood, a 56-year-old Rochester teacher and independent who voted predominantly for Democrats

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“He’s black, and there are certain white people who are never going to let that go. It always comes back to racism. Things are stacked against a black president.” — John Evans, a 55-year-old Manhattan resident who is black, on Obama’s political troubles